6 Best Hotels In Bergen From A Native (2024)
Bergen is one of my favorite places in Norway, and I have visited multiple times over the years and even stayed here for long periods with my former work.
There is one slight downside to this picturesque town on the majestic west coast of Norway, and that is that it holds the record for the number of annual rainy days in the entire kingdom (200 to be exact).
The reason for all the rainy days is also one of the best things about Bergen: The 7 Sisters mountain range that surrounds the town, which is responsible for all the clouds dumping the rain before they move further over the mountains and into the fjords, mountains, and plains.
Despite this, people from Bergen will tell you, “I’m not from Norway; I am from Bergen”, which should give you an idea of to what extent a “bergenser” loves their city!
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How To Find The Best Places To Stay In Bergen
Bryggen in Bergen, or the Bergen Jetty, is possibly the most famous feature in the city (maybe apart from the teleferico), and this area is also probably the best place to stay when you visit.
This is where you have the iconic harbor with the wooden jetties, the colorful wooden houses lined up like beads on a chain, the fish market, and charming narrow streets with lots of uphill on cobblestone (so be careful with your heels at night).
This is also where you find the majority of the best hotels, as well as smaller budget places to stay or homestays with Airbnb.
A short distance away is the City area, where you have the city’s central train station, shops and malls, some of the most popular sights in Bergen, and also a small tranquil lake called Lille Lungegårdsvannet.
This can also be a good area to stay in Bergen; most things are within walking distance, and if you don’t want to walk, the Bybanen Tram is at your service.
Here is an overview of the best-rated hotels and accommodations in Bergen, which are centrally located to everything you want to see, do, and visit.
📍 Quick facts about Norway:
- Population 5 million
- Capital city: Oslo
- Language: Norwegian (most people speak English)
- Currency: Norwegian Krone (currency calculator)
- Coastline: 62000 miles
- Has territory in the Arctic region
- Midnight Sun in summer and Northern Lights in winter
Top-Rated Luxury Places To Stay Bergen
1. Hotel Opus XVI
Hotel Opus XVI in Bergen simply has it all. This amazing 5-star hotel is located only steps from Bryggen in Bergen, the famous jetty, and everything Bergen has to offer within walking distance.
Bryggen is one of my favorite parts of Bergen, and Hotel Opus’ name is inspired by the world-famous composer Edward Grieg, who grew up here. This hotel is also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Historic Hotels of Norway, and is focused on sustainability and green, environmentally friendly features.
All rooms have a seating area, a flat-screen TV, and an in-room tablet for personal use. They also have a mini bar, a safe, and a spacious wardrobe. The bathrooms have rainfall showers and under-floor heating—a super treat in chilly Norway!
If you don’t want to go out to eat, you can have lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea in the hotel restaurant. The superb kitchen offers a variety of local seafood as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
📍 TravelToNorway Tip: Get the 3-day Bergen Pass that will get you a free entrance to museums and attractions, as well as a discount on restaurants and parking, and free travel on the Skyss city bus.
2. Bergen Børs Hotel
Bergen Børs Hotel (which means the stock market) is a spectacular place to stay on the Torgalmenningen Square in the center of Bergen. Located in the old stock exchange building from 1862, you will be staying in an incredibly beautiful interior.
The rooms are stunning, with elaborate decorations and beautiful details in everything from the wooden floors and beautifully crafted ceilings to tiles in the bathroom and the decor and interior details. All rooms have a mini bar, coffee machine, and a flat-screen TV.
You can have a cocktail or locally crafted beer in the hotel bar and enjoy Scandinavian cuisine based on local produce in the restaurant.
Restaurant Frescohallen at Bergen Børs is one of Norway’s National Treasures, resembling a medieval dance hall with impressive columns, high ceilings, and exquisite fresco artwork.
Although everything is modern, it has an elegant style and calming ambiance, creating an experience you will not forget any time soon!
Also read: The Best Things To Do When Visiting Bergen, Western Norway!
3. Hotel Charmante Skostredet
Hotel Charmante Skostredet in Bergen is also a unique 5-star hotel with excellent reviews that offers a little extra only 300 yards from the city center.
Skostredet means “shoe alley,” and this small street is one of the most charming in Bergen, with a variety of vibrant restaurants and bars.
This hotel, which you enter from the narrow, cobblestoned street of Old Bergen, offers lavish, exquisite rooms with room service, private parking, a garden, a restaurant, and a bar. Every room has a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with toiletries, a shower, and a hairdryer.
The breakfast, which includes a buffet, continental, and vegetarian options, receives standing ovations in reviews. Among the things to visit close to Skostredet Hotel are Haakons Hall, Bergen University, and the University Museum of Bergen.
📍 TravelToNorway Tip: Get an e-SIM for Norway with unlimited data!
Top-Rated Budget Places To Stay in Bergen
If you are traveling on a budget (Norwegian prices are quite steep in general), or just want to prioritize your travel budget on other things than your accommodation, there are several good budget options as well.
4. Citybox Bergen
Citybox Bergen is a great budget option for staying in the city center. It is a stylish hotel with modern rooms and in-house amenities.
All Citybox rooms have a desk, armchair, and private bathroom. Snacks and drinks are available from in-house vending machines, and the hotel is just a five-minute walk from popular sights like Bergen Art Museum and Byparken Park.
Festplassen Square is a short walk away, and you have all the services of the city center within walking distance.
5. Hotel Oleana
Top-rated budget Hotel Oleana is also centrally situated in Bergen and welcomes you with a cozy fireplace in the lobby. There is an on-site restaurant here, the Acido, serving Peruvian cuisine, and an in-house bar.
Guests typically highlight the wonderful breakfast here, as well as the friendly service from the multilingual staff.
All rooms have free Wi-Fi, safes, minibars, flat-screen TVs, rainfall showers, and sound-insulated walls. From the Oleana, you will also have access to a nearby health club, coffee, and tea in the lobby, which also has a 24-hour front desk.
6. Magic Hotel Solheimsviken
Magic Hotel Solheimsviken is a bit further from the city center, a ten-minute drive or 20 minutes on the tram. It is a family-friendly hotel near the Hanseatic Museum and the Floibanen Funicular, which takes you to the top of the mountain.
The hotel has a rooftop terrace, a coffee shop, and a playground for kids. You can also enjoy a game room, and there is free in-room wifi. Rooms also have flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with heated floors, and insulated walls.
The lobby has coffee and tea, the staff provides tour and ticket assistance, and there is a 24-hour front desk. Guests of the Magic Hotel Solheimsviken also have access to a nearby health club.
FAQ Bergen Home Of The Fjords
Is Bergen Worth Visiting?
I will say yes, definitely. Even though I am a big fan of my hometown, the capital, Oslo, Bergen, is a really great destination to visit in Norway in summer and winter.
With its unique harbor area with the jetty, the fish market, the architecture, the arts, and the Vidden atop the mountains surrounding Bergen, it has a lot to offer. And it is not far from the famous, majestic fjords.
What Is Special About Bergen?
Bergen is a historically important town in Norway, one of the nation’s oldest towns, which was created about 1000 years ago. The famous jetty in Bergen, Bergen Brygge, was established around 1070 and became a trade hub along the coast.
It grew rapidly during the Middle Ages, and the German Hansa Society established a trade hub in Bergen around 1300. You can see the
Bergen is also home to world-renowned composer Edvard Grieg and, in modern days, the Ulriksbanen Gondola, the Fløibanen, and Norway’s largest Aquarium. Not to mention the nature, the mountains, and the fjords surrounding this intriguing, small town.
What Is The Best Month To Visit Bergen?
The best month to visit Bergen is actually three months, maybe even four!
May is when spring sets in in Bergen, and if you plan your visit around the 17th of May, you get to experience the colorful iconic celebration of the Norwegian National Day in the city.
June and July (and a little of August) are the best summer months in Bergen, and if you like the pleasant summer temperature (it rarely get over 25 degrees Celsius anyways) this is a great time to visit.
If you are a passionate hiker, late August and September in and around Bergen are STUNNING.
This is the spectacular changing of the seasons in the mountains, and wherever you choose to hike, you will be surrounded by a cascade of colors in red, yellow, orange, maroon, and a little green. September is my favorite mountain month in Norway!
Wrap-Up Best Hotels In Bergen
In the western capital of Norway, Bergen, you will find any kind of accommodation your heart or budget desires – within the somewhat pricey levels of most anything in Norway (sorry about that).
I hope this overview has provided you with what you need to know in order to book your home away from home in Bergen. The only thing left to do, is deciding what to do.
For that, I’ve got you covered; you can check out this overview of things to do in Bergen that will help you get started on your itinerary.
Happy Travels!
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